Welcome Zhaire Smith

[ivysixer2000]

If they use the ‘21 MIA pick to trade for Kawhi, and then re-sign him... it won’t matter if Smith develops, honestly. Trade will be a huge win.

Pretty big if right there.

Kawbye won't extend if he did get here regardless cause he would get less money, and not only that, what if he got here and wasn't all the way healthy or got hurt again with the same injury.....we might not want to extend him. Don't think that's thought about much either, we just assume we deal for him, he is top 5 and we are great. Thats just not the case, its not that simple when it comes to Kawbye.

Just cause we remember him 2 years ago doesn't mean he's the same guy. I don't want to see us waste our resources when its this risky and there are other options out there.

[76ciology]

Another good comp for Zhaire Smith is Danny Green 6'9-6'10 wingspan with 8'5-8'7 standing reach. Great shotblocker for SG with a jumper that wasnt that good when he started his career.

I'd expect Smith to play Danny Green's role, attacking close outs, cutting and spot up. Then being a great guard to rotate to the paint to block in the paint.

Rockets have a very simplified construction of how modern offense is. Atleast 20ppg scorers who can create plays and guys who can make defense pays if their defender help by close outs, 3s or cutting. Zhaire falls into the second group. But if he magically develops his guard skills, he may upgrade into the first group.

[Kobblehead]

Danny Green was an unathletic marksman coming out of UNC. Zhaire is basically the opposite of that.

You keep searchin for comps. I'm telling ya, the Kent Bazemore one is pretty apt.

[KramerDSP]

Sorta OT, but how do you phonetically say Zhaire's name (and how does Brown do it? LOL)? BKRef has it as zhi-AIR, but I would have thought it was something more like STAIR but with a Z. Being Deaf, and getting all my content through print, I was sounding out Saric as Sah-Ric for a while until I learned it was actually Shah-Rich, and I don't want to have the same issue with Zhaire.

[septahex]

Sorta OT, but how do you phonetically say Zhaire's name (and how does Brown do it? LOL)? BKRef has it as zhi-AIR, but I would have thought it was something more like STAIR but with a Z. Being Deaf, and getting all my content through print, I was sounding out Saric as Sah-Ric for a while until I learned it was actually Shah-Rich, and I don't want to have the same issue with Zhaire.

It's Zigh-Air, BB has it right. Listen here: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/zaire
Zaire is the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo, wherefrom Dikembe Mutombo hails.

[LloydFree]

If they use the ‘21 MIA pick to trade for Kawhi, and then re-sign him... it won’t matter if Smith develops, honestly. Trade will be a huge win.

I think the trade was a win no matter what happens with the pick. I don't think Mikal Bridges will be any better than Zhaire Smith, so if you're going to select role players, you may as well select them at #16, rather than #10. All of the players I thought were significantly better than Zhaire (and Bridges) were picked between 11 and 15. So the trade actually saved that pick, IMO.

[76ciology]

Danny Green was an unathletic marksman coming out of UNC. Zhaire is basically the opposite of that.

You keep searchin for comps. I'm telling ya, the Kent Bazemore one is pretty apt.

ok will settle for that now.

[KramerDSP]

Sorta OT, but how do you phonetically say Zhaire's name (and how does Brown do it? LOL)? BKRef has it as zhi-AIR, but I would have thought it was something more like STAIR but with a Z. Being Deaf, and getting all my content through print, I was sounding out Saric as Sah-Ric for a while until I learned it was actually Shah-Rich, and I don't want to have the same issue with Zhaire.

It's Zigh-Air, BB has it right. Listen here: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/zaire
Zaire is the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo, wherefrom Dikembe Mutombo hails.

That's going to be a bit difficult, now. Much appreciated on the Zigh-Air. That's a fun name to pronounce when he does something crazy! ZIGGGHHHHH-AIR SMITH!!!!!

[Bum Adebayo]

I expect Smith to be better than Fultz in his prime.

[LloydFree]

I expect Smith to be better than Fultz in his prime.

Zhaire's a better athlete and a better shooter, so...

[SixthStreet]

The more I watch of Smith, the more I think he's a modern NBA SF. He's not going to be a G in this league. He's strong and long enough to defend 3s full time, and better suited to play the position offensively with a lesser burden on that end.

[Kobblehead]

The more I watch of Smith, the more I think he's a modern NBA SF. He's not going to be a G in this league. He's strong and long enough to defend 3s full time, and better suited to play the position offensively with a lesser burden on that end.

At barely 200 pounds and having a wingspan under 6'10", I don't think he's well-suited to guard Fs.

[LloydFree]

The more I watch of Smith, the more I think he's a modern NBA SF. He's not going to be a G in this league. He's strong and long enough to defend 3s full time, and better suited to play the position offensively with a lesser burden on that end.

Naaaa. They're going to have to play him primarily at guard, or else they'll run into the same problem Toronto has with Norman Powell. Powell is a liability on SF's, so if his shot isn't falling, he's useless for them. Hopefully his shooting is good enough to play with Simmons and eventually he gets strong enough to stand up to Forwards on switches.

[sixerswillrule]

The more I watch of Smith, the more I think he's a modern NBA SF. He's not going to be a G in this league. He's strong and long enough to defend 3s full time, and better suited to play the position offensively with a lesser burden on that end.

He's not a guard on offense but could be one on defense for this team thanks to Simmons.

[Bum Adebayo]

He cannot be a SF except in certain matchups, he has to be able to shoot or have a decent handle if he wants to be something. He doesn't have neither the frame nor the length to guard good SF, so he needs to be PG/SG. I expect him to improve dramatically in ball handling and shooting.

[Kobblehead]

He cannot be a SF except in certain matchups, he has to be able to shoot or have a decent handle if he wants to be something. He doesn't have neither the frame nor the length to guard good SF, so he needs to be PG/SG. I expect him to improve dramatically in ball handling and shooting.

This almost never happens. It's an extremely rare occurrence. This is why I have a problem with attributing upside to non-ball handlers.

[Ericb5]

I think that the combination of his size and lack of a floor game or handle will limit him greatly, unless he somehow develops into a star, I don’t think that he can ever be a starter.

That being said, with all of the positionless basketball being played these days, as long as he can guard both guard positions and hit a 3 pointer, he should be able to carve out a solid role, especially when playing with someone like Simmons that breaks the normal molds.


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[FireMorey]

Watching Smith, I’m not sure if he’s a bad ball handler or just a raw ball handler. As in a guy who hasn’t had to handle the ball a lot because he’s so athletic, but has the potential to do it. Or if he just sucks at it. I didn’t see enough in his college tape to make the call.

[Bum Adebayo]

He cannot be a SF except in certain matchups, he has to be able to shoot or have a decent handle if he wants to be something. He doesn't have neither the frame nor the length to guard good SF, so he needs to be PG/SG. I expect him to improve dramatically in ball handling and shooting.

This almost never happens. It's an extremely rare occurrence. This is why I have a problem with attributing upside to non-ball handlers.

You are right, however, I see something in this kid, something about his fluidity, the way he moves, his body type, etc that makes me envision him being able to.

[MkPhilly]

I think in the beginning he needs to speed up his shot release. I think this is pretty obvious and easy to achieve. After the summer league and the preseason, he should give signs of progress in this field. This is enough to start with, ball handling needs more time...